BERKELEY: Love At First Bite

darling berna — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:19:04 +0000

Neighborhoods: North Berkeley, Gourmet Ghetto

1510 Walnut St
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 848-5727

I am not OBSESSED with cupcakes. However, the cupcake craze is one of my favorite things about living in the Bay Area – we actually have cupcakeries here. My inner child squeals with glee whenever I get a chance to have one, since they are so damn cute, and because I am an adult, I can eat a cupcake any freakin’ time my heart desires. Like, for breakfast.

I first stumbled upon this cupcakery while desperately searching for a Peet’s to soothe my caffeine-deprived headache, walking around the Gourmet Ghetto. Sadly, I got to the door five minutes after closing. I vowed that the next time I was in the area, I would come here.

So today, I dragged my friend with me into the little hidden shopping center that it’s located in, and got really *really* excited by RED VELVET CUPCAKES. We chose a red velvet and a coconut (with coconut cake – also available with chocolate cake), tucked away into a little box ($2.75 per large cupcake) and drove far into the Berkeley Hills to sit atop the world and stare out at the Bay. As we lounged, indulging ourselves in frivolous chit chat, gazing at the hawk that soared above us, and contemplating life, we nibbled at our cupcakes (exchanging halfway through so we could each taste them).

The verdict? Conversation and cupcakes are good for the soul. Love at First Bite does them quite nicely.

NYC: Billy’s Bakery

darling berna — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:10:56 +0000

184 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10011
(212) 647-9956

http://www.billysbakerynyc.com/

Neighborhood: Chelsea

I’m in love.

With the sugary delight that is Billy’s cupcakes. I have been a Magnolia girl since BEFORE Sex & The City made cupcakes a fad food, but I have to say, Billy’s takes the (cup)cake. I like the homemade feel of Billy’s – the bright colored frosting with simple sprinkles for decor tastes light and rich at the same time. The cupcake part is really yummy and moist too. I have no idea about the store since these cupcakes were a lovely gift from a coworker that fed (literally) my cupcake love on my trip to New York.

God bless that man.

Because She Said So

BERKELEY: Love At First Bite

NYC: Billy’s Bakery